Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is a prominent American shipbuilding company headquartered in Panama City, Florida. Founded in 1976 by Brian D'Isernia, the company has grown to become one of the largest private shipbuilders in the United States. Eastern Shipbuilding Group specializes in designing, constructing, and repairing various types of vessels, including commercial, government, and offshore support vessels.
Key Areas of Focus:
Commercial Vessels: The company builds a diverse range of commercial ships, including tugboats, towboats, offshore supply vessels (OSVs), and cargo ships.
Government Vessels: Eastern Shipbuilding works with various governmental and military entities to produce ships like cutters and patrol vessels.
Offshore Vessels: The firm constructs offshore support and service vessels that cater to the offshore oil and gas industry.
Repair and Maintenance: In addition to building new ships, Eastern Shipbuilding Group also offers repair and maintenance services for vessels, ensuring they remain seaworthy and in optimal condition.
Facilities: The company operates multiple shipbuilding facilities, with major yards located in Panama City and Port St. Joe, Florida. These facilities are equipped with modern infrastructure, including dry docks, fabrication shops, and outfitting areas, allowing for efficient construction and repair processes.
Notable Projects: Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been involved in several high-profile projects over the years. One of the most significant is the contract with the United States Coast Guard to design and construct the Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs). This program aims to replace the aging fleet of Medium Endurance Cutters with new, more capable vessels.
Workforce: The company employs a skilled workforce comprising engineers, designers, fabricators, and other professionals who contribute to various aspects of shipbuilding and repair. Their expertise ensures that Eastern Shipbuilding Group can deliver high-quality, reliable vessels.
Reputation: Eastern Shipbuilding Group has built a strong reputation within the maritime industry for delivering robust, well-designed ships that meet specific customer requirements. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has enabled them to forge long-term relationships with clients globally.
Overall, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. stands out as a key player in the American shipbuilding industry, recognized for its capabilities in constructing a wide array of vessels that serve commercial, governmental, and industrial needs.
- Phone: 850-763-1900
- Web: www.easternshipbuilding.com
- Fax: 850-763-7904
Locations
Eastern Shipbuilding Group News
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2023

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023—from a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one…
Eastern Launches First Offshore Patrol Cutter USCGC Argus

The lead ship in the U.S. Coast Guard's Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, USCGC Argus (WMSM-915), was launched and christened during a ceremony at Eastern Shipbuilding Group's Nelson St. Shipyard in Panama City, Fla.Attended by more than 3,000 guests, the event featured a keynote address delivered by Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.“The Offshore Patrol Cutter…
Eastern Gets Green Light to Build USACE Hopper Dredge

Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group announced on Tuesday it has received a notice to proceed after winning a contract to design and build a new hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).The 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity diesel-electric dredge will be constructed at Eastern’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is scheduled for delivery in 2027, the builder said.The new medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) will be based at the Corps’ Philadelphia District…
Shipyard Capacity: A Brake on Decarbonization?

The IMO’s latest crunch meeting in early July may not have aligned global shipping with mid-century targets established in the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, its 2023 Strategy indicates a clear direction of travel. Energy supplies by sea are essential for many countries and therefore ships have a key role in supporting the world’s energy transition – not only on their own account, but at a global level.As world shipping accounts for about 3% of greenhouse gas emissions…
Eastern Shipbuilding to Build New Hopper Dredge for the USACE

Panama City, Fla. based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been awarded a contract to design and build a new hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.The $256,955,264 firm-fixed-price contract will see Eastern design and build the new medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) for scheduled delivery in August 2027. Eastern was one of three bidders for the project.The new 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity hopper…
Hornbeck Offshore Eyes U.S. Offshore Wind Work with OSV-to-SOV Conversion Project

U.S. offshore vessel owner Hornbeck Offshore Services, best known for its offshore oil and gas support vessel services, is looking at business opportunities in the growing U.S. offshore wind sector as well as in offshore accommodation services in the oil and gas area.For that, Covington, La. based Hornbeck Offshore said Wednesday it had contracted Eastern Shipbuilding Group to convert one of its recently…
Eastern Shipbuilding Delivers New Hopper Dredge R.B. Weeks

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) on Monday announced the delivery of R.B. Weeks, a 8,550 cubic yard capacity trailing suction hopper dredge constructed for Weeks Marine, Inc.“It’s our pleasure to once again deliver a quality vessel on time and on budget to our valued customers at Weeks Marine, Inc.,” said Joey D’Isernia, president of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. “The R.B. Weeks joins an impressive…
Weeks Marine's New Hopper Dredge Goes on Sea Trials

A new trailing suction hopper dredge built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group for Weeks Marine has gone to sea trials.The 356-foot R.B. Weeks is the second in a series of two 8,550-cubic-meter-capacity hopper dredges Eastern has built for the New Jersey-based marine construction and dredging contractor, following sister vessel Magdalen delivered in 2017.In nearly all respects, the R.B. Weeks is identical to the Magdalen.
Eastern Hosts Keel Authentication for New Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) on March 9 hosted a keel authentication ceremony at its Allanton Shipyard in Panama City, Fla. for a new 302-foot auto and passenger ferry for the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company.Steel cutting for ESG Hull 228 commenced in January 2023 and a delivery is scheduled for 2024. The ferry will operate between Bridgeport, Conn. and Port Jefferson, N.Y.The ferry is based on the P.T.
2023 Shipbuilding Report: US Passenger Vessels

With travel and tourism nearing pre-2020 levels, and transit systems benefiting from a return to work, passenger vessels have seen renewed activity. In its year-end review, John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), which advocates for the sector in Washington, D.C. wrote: “As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, we are delighted to report that our industry…
Joey D’Isernia Named CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) on Thursday announced Joey D’Isernia has been appointed CEO and chairman of the board, succeeding company founder Brian D’Isernia, who is retiring after more than 46 years in the role.“We all stood on Brian’s shoulders as he built this company from the ground up. I am deeply humbled as I step into this role knowing how much my father sacrificed for us and for this company.
Eastern Cuts Steel for Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry

Florida shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group has cut first steel for a new auto and passenger ferry for the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company.The new vessel, designed by Braintree, Mass.-based Gilbert Associates, is being constructed at Eastern's Allanton, Fla. shipyard and is scheduled for delivery in 2024.The 302-foot Subchapter H auto and passenger ferry will operate between Bridgeport, Conn. and Port Jefferson, N.Y.
What’s Next for Eastern Shipbuilding?

When Hurricane Michael slammed the Florida Panhandle in October 2018, the deadly category 5 storm inflicted billions in damages to the region, tearing apart homes and businesses in its path. Among those severely impacted was Eastern Shipbuilding Group, which suffered a nearly direct hit at its Allanton shipyard, located about 15 miles east of the company’s headquarters and main yard in Panama City.Eastern…
Eastern Cuts Steel for Fourth USCG Offshore Patrol Cutter

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) commenced construction of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Rush (WMSM-918), the fourth hull of the Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program. The occasion was observed by leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard Project Resident Office at ESG’s Allanton Shipyard where the first steel plates were cut by ESG personnel in the builder’s 103,000-square-foot steel and…
Eastern Delivers Third Ollis Class Staten Island Ferry

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) announced the completion of the third and final Ollis Class Staten Island Ferry for the City of New York Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Staten Island Ferry Division. Yesterday, the Dorothy Day, Hull 221, departed ESG’s Port St. Joe Shipyard passenger ready with the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and the ABS Class Certificates in hand.“It has…
Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets

U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
US Navy: Building Small Combatants to Create Force Structure and Capability

The U.S. Navy needs more ships. And that means the Navy has to build more ships than it is decommissioning.The sea service has a stated a goal of 355 ships, and as many as 500 and more when unmanned platforms are counted. There are 298 ships in the fleet today. For surface ships, this number includes a high-low mix of highly capable large surface combatants, and smaller ships such as littoral combat ships LCS).The Navy’s smallest combatants are the 330-ton, 197-foot coastal patrol boats (PCs).
Keel Laying Ceremony Held for USCG's Offshore Patrol Cutter 'USCGC Ingham'

Eastern Shipbuilding Group hosted the keel laying ceremony for the U.S. Coast Guard’s future Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), USCGC Ingham (WMSM-917), the third vessel in the new Heritage Class built at the Nelson Street facility. The presiding official for the U.S. Coast Guard was Rear Admiral Chad L. Jacoby, Director of Acquisition Programs & Program Executive Officer (CG-93). Congressman Neal Dunn…
Eastern Launches R.B. Weeks Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) on Friday launched the R.B. Weeks, the second trailing suction hopper dredge the Florida shipbuilder has constructed for Weeks Marine, Inc.The R.B. Weeks is named in honor of Richard B. Weeks, a co-founder of Weeks Marine and married to Magdalen Weeks, the namesake of the sister vessel Magdalen, built by Eastern and delivered in 2017.The new 356-foot trailing…
US Coast Guard Modifies Offshore Patrol Cutter Contract

The U.S. Coast Guard on May 20 announced it modified its current contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) so installation of the Athena combat weapons system and multi-mode radar system will be completed during the production phase of the offshore patrol cutter (OPC). The Athena system, radar and armament of the OPC are provided to the Coast Guard as Navy type-Navy owned government furnished equipment.Prior to this modification…